Mexico's president sees faster return to pre-pandemic economy

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gestures during a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico June 15, 2021. REUTERS/Luis Cortes

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday he expects that by the third quarter the Mexican economy will reach pre-pandemic levels, after gross domestic product contracted by some 8.5% last year driven by pandemic-related fallout.

The president's faith in a faster rebound is more optimistic than the central bank's latest forecasts.